Through A Lens Darkly: Black Photographers and The Emergence of A People

Through a Lens Darkly: Black Photographers and the Emergence of a People is a two-hour PBS documentary film and multimedia project that explores the ways black communities have learned to use the medium of photography to construct political, aesthetic and cultural representations of themselves and their world.

Kanye West Signs Nigerian Artist Mo' Hits to G.O.O.D. Music

Kanye inked the deal with Nigerian artist Mo' Hits then had a listening party to celebrate the signing. Jay-Z and Pusha T, Kid Cudi & No.I.D. are present in the video.

via vladtv

Winnie Mandela Insulted by Biopic

Former First Lady Winnie Mandela(ex-wife of former President Nelson Mandela) is upset by biopic about her struggles in Africa.

Mandela said, she has nothing against Oscar winner Jennifer Hudson(who plays Winnie), but she doesn't like the romanticizing of her life.

Watch the video...  

Teju Cole On Coming to America... Again - From the U.S. to Nigeria to Brooklyn

Teju Cole reflects on his U.S. birth, Nigerian upbringing and return to the U.S..

Cole lives in the Sunset Park section of Brooklyn and takes full advantage of all that he is in close proximity to... especially the picturesque views.

via thenewyorker

Nigeria's Growing Middle-Class Requires Status Symbol

A used car being prepared for sale. Photo: George OsodiCustomers looking at cars in Lagos, Nigeria. Photo: George Osodivia wsj

In Lagos, Nigeria there is an emerging middle-class.

With their rise in social strata comes the need to make others aware - here is where the ownership of a car comes into the picture.

While they do have enough disposable income to buy a car, they don't have enough to buy a new one, thus they buy used or "new used" cars.

See the slide show and read about the used car as status symbol and navigator of raggedy roads in Lagos, Nigeria.

Read more... 

Sudan's Emerging Hip-Hop Scene

Learn about the Sudan's Hip-Hop scene.

Sierra Leone's Music Scene Influencing Local Politics

Prince Kuti-George, professionally known as Innocent, records political songs. Photo: Liz Baylen

via latimes

It has been nearly 20 years since popular American music had strong political leanings, but, in Freetown, Sierra Leone, there is a movement afoot which has young musicians creating change within the local political system with their songs.

Innocent(pictured above) is a local musician who's 2007 song, "Ejectment Notice" helped start a ballot-box rebellion. Like most musicians in Sierra Leone, Innocent does not believe music is simply for entertainment, they believe it should bring about social change.

Find out why a population of 6 million depends on its entertainers for political news. See how much power that is for pop stars to have & how the opposing political parties are using it to their advantage.

Read more ...

Listen to music, watch videos from Sierra Leone and learn a little more about what is actually happening there by going clicking this link - go to Sierra Leone Music Television!

Check out this film, "WAYout", profiling the role music is playing in the lives of musicians in Sierra Leone and the struggles they go through to get into it:

Capoeira: A Brief History

VIMBY - Capoeira

I believe the historian means, "enslaved Africans" in Brazil...